Report: 3 Big-Name Players on Montreal Canadiens' Radar To ADD at Trade Deadline

While the Montreal Canadiens appear to be a team that will be quite active at the trade deadline, with names like Jake Evans, Joel Armia and David Savard populating trade boards everywhere, they won't be the typical "sellers" looking just for draft picks or prospects in return. According to reports, the Habs will be in the market looking for young NHL-caliber players.

Elliotte Friedman noted on his 32 Thoughts podcast: "I think they're very interested in making hockey trades." He added that he thinks an impact player would be on their radar.

To that end, we find a report from Marco D'Amico in rg.org on Monday that outlines three big-name players expected to be on the Habs' target list as we get closer to the deadline.

Sources indicate that Montreal is targeting a young, NHL-ready forward and age-appropriate top-4 right-shot defensemen—someone who can contribute immediately, but also fits into their long-term vision. The Canadiens have reportedly expressed interest in players such as Dylan Cozens and Trevor Zegras...

As it pertains to right-shot defensemen... A source close to the situation confirms the Canadiens are keeping tabs on the (Noah Dobson) situation.

As for Cozens and Zegras, both of them have had their names on the rumor mill for much of the season, in particular Cozens, as the Buffalo Sabres are extra-motivated to shake things up. Neither is having a strong season by any stretch of the imagination (Zegras, 6 goals in 32 games, Cozens, 11 goals/54 games), but they do "fit the mold of skilled, young centers who could complement (the Canadiens') existing lineup".

As for Dobson, he is currently out on a week-to-week basis with a lower-body injury. But given the recent leak that the NY Islanders have had some trade talks about him, and the enticing upside he showed with his 70-point season last year, combined with the fact that the Habs are not really in need of an immediate addition to the lineup due to their focus on the future, Dobson would certainly fit the bill.